CONSTITUTION of THE MARKET RESEARCH SOCIETY OF NZ Inc.

MISSION STATEMENT

To set and maintain professional research standards, and to foster the understanding and acceptance of market and social research amongst all people.

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY

1.1 To set and assist in the maintenance of professional standards including acting as a disciplinary body through which complaints can be directed and adjudicated.

1.2 Promotion of the use of market and social research in community and business decision-making in all sectors of society through improved awareness of research, educational activity and other suitable activity.

1.3 By means of active leadership and education to demonstrate that market and social research is a worthwhile occupation at two levels. In the case of:

a) PRACTITIONERS that market and social research is a professional, established industry with career opportunities, contributing to community and business decision-making; and

b) INTERVIEWERS that interviewing is a worthwhile occupation since respondents’ characteristics, opinions and needs are communicated through this link for presentation to decision-makers.

1.4 Provisions of regular opportunities for research practitioners and users to exchange information and ideas.

1.5 Encouragement and promotion of any other activity which will contribute to the information system needed for the efficient practice of marketing in New Zealand, and to co-operate with other societies and bodies in the pursuit of these objectives.

1.6 Improvement of the awareness and understanding of market and social research, and of the role of the Market Research Society amongst the public, so that research survey respondents know they are contributing to community and business decision-making.

2. MEMBERSHIP

There shall be six of membership: Full, Associate, Student, Corporate, Market Research Company and Honorary Life Membership.

2.1 Full Membership

Full Membership shall be granted to persons on application to the Committee, providing the following conditions are satisfied:

a) The person has been nominated and seconded by Full Members of the Society.

b) The applicant has presented satisfactory evidence to the Committee of active engagement in and understanding of the commissioning and/or conduct (questionnaire design, data collection, data processing, etc) of market research and/or analysis of research data over a period of at least two years.

c) The Committee is satisfied that the individual concerned has the necessary qualifications, experience and/or expertise in the field of research to become a fully active and contributing member of the Society.

2.2 Associate Membership

Associate Membership may be granted on application to the Committee to any person not eligible for Full Membership but who is engaged in, or interested in market research or furthering the aims and objectives of the Market Research Society.

2.3 Corporate Membership

Corporate Membership may be granted by the Committee to any firm or organisation interested in furthering the aims and objectives of the Society but whose main source of income is not Market Research. Each Corporate Member may nominate one representative as a Full Member, provided that the person satisfies the conditions of Full Membership. Such a nominated person shall be accorded all the rights of a Full Member within the meaning of this Constitution.

2.4 Market Research Company Membership

Market Research Company Membership may be granted by the Committee to any firm or organisation whose main source of income is Market Research. Market Research Company Members may have any number of Full and/or Associate members on their staff.

2.5 Student Membership

Student Membership may be granted on application by the Committee to any person not eligible for Full Membership, but who is currently enrolled either full or part-time in a tertiary course of study. Student Membership only applies in the calendar year of the course of study.

2.6 Field Category of Membership (Market Research Interviewers)

Field Membership may be granted on application to the Committee to any person not eligible for Full Membership, but who is currently engaged in the employment of market research field work and interested in furthering the aims and objectives of the Market Research Society. The person must be nominated and seconded by Full members of the Society.

2.7 Fellowship of the MRSNZ

Fellows are required to be fully paid-up Members of the Society, practising market researchers and who, in the opinion of the Committee, are well respected and have contributed significantly to the profession as a whole. Fellows of the MRSNZ will have all rights, benefits and privileges of a Full Member of the Society and will undertake to observe the Code of Practice. Fellowship of the MRSNZ will end upon retirement or if the Fellow ceases to be a Full Member of the MRSNZ. Nominations may come from any fully paid-up Member. Approval and appointment of new Fellows will be the responsibility of existing Fellows of the Society and will be appointed at a General Meeting of Members. Only if there are no current Fellows of the Society will Fellowship be awarded by majority consent of the Committee.

2.7b Fellowship shall reflect:

• Shared practical experience.
• Ethical leadership.
• Innovative thought and practice.
• Promotion and acceptance of Market Research.
• Economic impact on the Industry.

2.8 Life Membership

Life Membership (Honorary) will be awarded by majority consent of the Committee; nominations must come from the Committee. Life Membership will be awarded to fully paid-up members of the Market Research Society who in the opinion of the Committee are well respected and have contributed significantly to the industry as a whole. A Life Member will have all rights, benefits and privileges of a Full Member of the Society and will undertake to observe the Code of Practice. A Life Member is not required to pay a membership fee or annual subscription.

2.9  Approval

Election to memberships is by a simple majority at a duly constructed meeting of the Committee.

2.10 Introductory Sessions 

All committee approved applicants must attend an MRS introductory session on the Code of Practice within 3 months of approval, before final membership is granted. In the interim all membership privileges will apply. If a member resides outside New Zealand then this requirement is waived. Applicants for Full, Associate, Student and Corporate Membership will be required to provide a signed statement of acceptance of the Society’s Code of Practice (and any codes which may subsequently be adopted by the Society and annexed to the Constitution), and an undertaking to maintain and support these codes at all times.

3. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

3.1 A member shall cease to be a Member of the Society if:

a) A resignation in writing is submitted to the Committee Secretary, and accepted by the Committee. Resignation shall not absolve the Member from the obligation to pay any subscriptions or other monies owing to the Society at the time of submission of resignation.

b) A Member may be expelled by the Committee if deemed guilty of breaches of the Code of Practice. Indicative examples of such breaches are:

i) Misrepresentation as to qualifications, or experience, or access to facilities.

ii) Disclosing to any person, firm or company any information acquired in confidence during the course of his work regarding the business of a client, without the permission of that client.

iii) Having a receiving order made against the Member or making any arrangement or composition with creditors.

iv) Publishing or otherwise disseminating, unjustified and unreasonable criticism of another Member’s work.

v) Being guilty of any breach of the Rules of Conduct set out in subsequent parts of this document.

vi) Knowingly being in breach of any other regulations laid down from time to time by the Committee.

vii) Being sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a Court of Law.

viii) Being guilty of any act or conduct which, in the opinion of the Council, might bring discredit on the professional body or its Members.

c) Membership privileges are withdrawn by the Committee for being in arrears for one year in payment of subscription.

d) Any Member expelled from the Society shall cease to use anything associated with the Society or represent themselves as belonging to the Society.

3.2 In the event of any Member’s tenure being under review under Clause (b) that member shall be advised and given the opportunity of a hearing before the Committee 14 days before the Committee takes its final decision.

4. GROUPINGS OF MEMBERS

4.1 The membership of the Society shall be grouped on a geographical basis into two categories:

a) Auckland members - those members who live in Auckland; and
b) Non-Auckland members - those members who live outside Auckland.

4.2 A member may move from one category to another, but shall not be in both categories. Where there is any dispute as to the category that applies to a member, the matter shall be determined by the Committee, whose decision shall be final.

5. THE MARKET RESEARCH SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND COMMITTEE

5.1 The national governing body of the Society shall be the Market Research Society of New Zealand Committee ("The Committee").

5.2 The Committee shall be elected each year by ballot at the Annual General Meeting by the members who are eligible to vote. The Committee shall call for nominations for election to the Committee no later than 45 days prior to the intended date of that year’s Annual General Meeting and shall require nominations to be received by the Society no later than 30 days prior to the same date. The election notices shall be posted to members at least 21 days prior to that year’s Annual General Meeting. Postal votes are to be received no later than 5 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.

5.3 The Committee shall consist of not less than eight and not more than fifteen members, all of whom shall be Full Members. The membership of the Committee shall comprise Auckland and non-Auckland members, the numbers of each to be in proportion to the number of Auckland and Non-Auckland members as at the end of the year immediately preceding the election, provided that at least two members shall be Non-Auckland members. The members of the Committee shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Society, and shall be eligible for re-election. The Committee may co-opt members, provided that the total number of members on the Committee (including elected members) does not thereby exceed fifteen.

5.4 The members of the Committee shall elect from among their full members a President, Vice-President, and Treasurer by ballot at its first meeting following its election. The Vice-President shall not be employed by the same firm or organisation as the President.

5.5 A quorum of a meeting of the Committee shall be one-half of all members of the Committee. The Committee may at any time, and shall within thirty days of the receipt of a requisition in writing stating the purpose of such a meeting signed by at least twelve members of the Society, call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society.

5.6 The Committee shall have power to call a General Meeting of the Members of the Society. At least twenty-one days notice of the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society shall be given inwriting to each member of the Society, sent to the address on the Society’s membership files at the time. The Annual General Meeting shall be held as early as practicable in each financial year.

5.7 A quorum at any General Meeting of the Society shall be twelve Full Members or ten percent of the Full Members of the Society being present in person or by proxy or having cast postal votes, whichever is the greater.

5.8 The President or any two members of the Committee may summon a meeting of the Committee at any time. At least seven days notice shall be given of all meetings of the Committee, except in the case of an emergency.

5.9 The Committee shall meet in person on three occasions each year at such times and at such places as shall be determined from time to time. The travel expenses incurred by members of the Committee in attending these three meetings of the Committee shall be paid by the Society. If it so decides the Committee may also meet at other times, either in person or using a tele-conference facility, provided any resolutions are minuted. Such resolutions passed by a majority of the members of the Committee shall be as valid and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Committee duly called and constituted.

5.10 The Committee may by resolution supported by two-thirds of all the members of the Committee make rules for the administration of the Society, provided that such rules do not conflict with this Constitution.

5.11 The Committee shall have power to open bank accounts, which shall be operated by any two or three persons designated by the Committee for this purpose.

5.12 On adoption of this Constitution by the Society, the Branch Committees shall within 14 days of the date that this Constitution is adopted, appoint the Committee from amongst their members and such appointment shall be deemed to have been pursuant to clause 5.2 of this Constitution provided the Committee complies with clause 5.3 hereof.

6. VOTING

6.1 Only Full Members whose subscriptions are up to date shall be entitled to vote in person or by post at any meeting or in any poll of the Society.

6.2 Voting at meetings of the Committee shall be by show of hands. Voting at General Meetings of the Society shall be by ballot or by postal vote. The notice to members of a General Meeting shall contain postal voting forms.

6.3 Proxy votes shall be accepted at Committee and General Meetings provided that a duly witnessed notice of appointment of the proxy has been lodged with the Secretary prior to the commencement of the meeting.

6.4 In the event of an equality of votes at any meeting the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

6.5 A member may cast a postal vote on all or any of the matters to be voted on at a General Meeting by sending a notice of the manner in which the member’s vote is cast to the Committee. The member’s notice must reach the Committee not less than 48 hours before the start of the meeting.

6.6 The Committee shall receive and count postal votes at a meeting:

(a) To collect together all postal votes received by it; and

(b) In relation to each resolution to be voted on at the meeting:

(i) To certify the number of members voting in favour of the resolution and the number of members voting against the resolution; and

(ii) To present the voting results to the chairperson of the meeting.

(c) If a vote is taken at a meeting on a resolution on which postal votes have been cast, the chairperson of the meeting must also include in the count of votes, the vote of each member who has submitted a postal vote for or against the resolution.

(d) The chairperson of a meeting must ensure that a certificate of postal votes held by him or her is annexed to the minutes of the meeting.

7. FINANCE

7.1 The annual subscription and any entrance fee for each of member for the following year shall be determined by the Committee.

7.2 The Committee shall have power to own real and moveable property, invest surplus funds and borrow money in furtherance of the objectives of the Society.

7.3 The financial year for the Market Research Society shall be January 1st to December 31st. This may be changed by majority vote of the Committee. An audited statement of accounts shall be prepared as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year; and not more than 60 days after the first meeting of the incoming Committee.

8. INFRINGEMENTS OF THE CODE OF PRACTICE

8.1 Any alleged infringements of the Code shall be reported without delay in the form of a complaint to the Complaints Officer.

8.2 The Committee shall take such action as it deems appropriate in relation to implementation of the Code. In the case of complaints such action, at the discretion of the Committee, may involve referral to an ad hoc committee, and/or legal adviser. The Committee may establish a Complaints Procedure from time to time.

9. CHANGE TO CONSTITUTION

9.1 This Constitution and the Society’s Code of Practice may be altered either by a postal ballot or an Extraordinary General Meeting of all Full Members of the Society, conducted by the Committee.

9.2 A copy of the proposed alteration or alterations shall be sent to each Full Member of the Society at least sixty days before the date of the ballot or meeting, as determined by the Committee.

9.3 Alterations shall be effective only if approved by more than two-thirds of votes cast and shall come into effect at a time determined by the Committee, but no later than twelve months after the ballot closing date, provided that no amendment shall be permitted that in any way affects the non-profit status of the society.

10. COMMON SEAL

10.1 The Committee shall have the power to adopt a Common Seal of the Society and at any time to destroy the same and substitute another therefore. The National Secretary shall have custody of the Common Seal.

10.2 Whenever the Common Seal of the Society is required to be affixed to any deed or other document the Seal shall be affixed there-to pursuant to a resolution of the Committee and in the presence of the President or the Vice-President and one other member of the Committee who shall both sign the document to which the Seal is so affixed.

11. DISSOLUTION OF THE SOCIETY

11.1 The Society may be dissolved by a ballot of all Full Members of the Society, conducted in accordance with the provisions outlined in 9.1. Notice of the proposed dissolution must be sent to each member of the Society at least sixty days before the date of the ballot.

11.2 The dissolution shall be effective if approved by a simple majority of all Full Members.

11.3 On the dissolution of the Society or in the event of the Society being put into liquidation, any funds remaining after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be disposed of as the Committee at the time of the dissolution may direct, provided that in no circumstances shall such surplus funds be distributed to members of the Society.

12. NAME

The name of the Society shall be the Market Research Society of New Zealand (Incorporated).